According to a report by CNN, the CIA was conducting a weapons smuggling operation from Libyan arms depots to the Syrian rebels when the United States’ embassy in Benghazi was attacked in September 2012.

The report alleges the possibility that CIA operations in Benghazi were secretly helping to transport surface-to-air missiles from Libyan depots, through Turkey, to Syrian rebel groups. The CIA has not commented on any involvement in weapons transfers, while the State Department has denied involvement and stated it was merely helping the new Libyan government destroy unsafe weapons.